Redemption and Two Other Plays by Leo Tolstoy et al

L >> Leo Tolstoy et al >> Redemption and Two Other Plays

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

VASILY LEONIDITCH. What d'you think, Theodore Ivanitch, is he flush of
cash? Eh, what?

THEODORE IVANITCH. I don't know. I hardly think so. But what does it
matter to you? You drew a good sum not more than a week ago.

VASILY LEONIDITCH. But didn't I pay for those dogs? And now, you know,
there's our new Society, and Petristchef has been chosen, and I had
borrowed money from Petristchef and must pay the subscription both for
him and for myself. Eh, what?

THEODORE IVANITCH. And what is this new Society? A Cycling Club?

VASILY LEONIDITCH. No. Just let me tell you. It is quite a new
Society. It is a very serious Society, you know. And who do you think
is President? Eh, what?

THEODORE IVANITCH. What's the object of this new Society?

VASILY LEONIDITCH. It is a "Society to Promote the Breeding of
Pure-Bred Russian Hounds." Eh, what? And I'll tell you, they're
having the first meeting and a lunch, to-day. And I've no money. I'll
go to him and have a try!

[Exit through study door.

FIRST PEASANT (to THEODORE IVANITCH). And who might he be, respected
sir?

THEODORE IVANITCH (smiles). The young master.

THIRD PEASANT. The heir, so to say. Oh, Lord! (Puts away the money.)
I'd better hide it meanwhile.

FIRST PEASANT. And we were told he was in military service, in the
cav'rely, for example.

THEODORE IVANITCH. No, as an only son he is exempt from military
service.

THIRD PEASANT. Left for to keep his parents, so to say! That's right!

SECOND PEASANT (shaking his head). He's the right sort. He'll feed
them finely!

THIRD PEASANT. Oh, Lord!

[Enter VASILY LEONIDITCH, followed by LEONID FYODORITCH.

VASILY LEONIDITCH. That's always the way. It's really surprising!
First I'm asked why I have no occupation, and now when I have found a
field and am occupied, when a Society with serious and noble aims has
been founded, I can't even have 300 roubles to go on with!...

LEONID FYODORITCH. I tell you I can't do it, and I can't! I haven't
got it.

VASILY LEONIDITCH. Why, you have just sold some land.

LEONID FYODORITCH. In the first place I have not sold it! And above
all, do leave me in peace! Weren't you told I was engaged?

[Exit, slamming door.

THEODORE IVANITCH. I told you this was not the right moment.

VASILY LEONIDITCH. Well, I say! Here's a position to be in! I'll go
and see mamma--that's my only hope. He's going crazy over his
spiritualism and forgets everything else.

[Goes upstairs.

[THEODORE IVANITCH takes newspaper and is just going to sit down,
when BETSY and MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA, followed by GREGORY, come
down the stairs.

BETSY. Is the carriage ready?

GREGORY. Just coming to the door.

BETSY (to MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA). Come along, come along, I know it is
he.

MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. Which he?

BETSY. You know very well whom I mean--Petristchef, of course.

MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. But where is he?

BETSY. Sitting in Vovo's room. You'll see!

MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. And suppose it is not he?

[The PEASANTS and PORTER bow.

BETSY (to PORTER). You brought a dress from Bourdier's?

PORTER. Yes, Miss. May I go?

BETSY. Well, I don't know. Ask my mother.

PORTER. I don't know whose it is, Miss; I was ordered to bring it here
and receive the money.

BETSY. Well, then, wait.

MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. Is it still that costume for the charade?

BETSY. Yes, a charming costume. But mamma won't take it or pay for it.

MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. But why not?

BETSY. You'd better ask mamma. She doesn't grudge Vovo 500 roubles for
his dogs, but 100 is too much for a dress. I can't act dressed like a
scarecrow. (Pointing to PEASANTS.) And who are these?

GREGORY. Peasants who have come to buy some land or other.

BETSY. And I thought they were the beaters. Are you not beaters?

FIRST PEASANT. No, no, lady. We have come to see Leonid Fyodoritch
about the signing into our possession of the title-deeds to some land.

BETSY. Then how is it? Vovo was expecting some beaters who were to
come to-day. Are you sure you are not the beaters? (The PEASANTS are
silent.) How stupid they are! (Goes to VASILY LEONIDITCH'S door.)
Vovo?

[Laughs.

MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. But we met him just now upstairs!

BETSY. Why need you remember that? Vovo, are you there?

[PETRISTCHEF enters.

PETRISTCHEF. Vovo is not here, but I am prepared to fulfil on his
behalf anything that may be required. How do you do? How do you do,
Marya Konstantinovna?

[Shakes hands long and violently with BETSY, and then with MARYA
KONSTANTINOVNA.

SECOND PEASANT. See, it's as if he were pumping water!

BETSY. You can't replace him,--still you're better than nobody.
(Laughs.) What are these affairs of yours with Vovo?

PETRISTCHEF. What affairs? Our affairs are fie-nancial that is, our
business is fie! It's also nancial, and besides it is financial.

BETSY. What does nancial mean?

PETRISTCHEF. What a question! It means nothing, that's just the point.

BETSY. No, no, you have missed fire.

[Laughs.

PETRISTCHEF. One can't always hit the mark, you know. It's something
like a lottery. Blanks and blanks again, and at last you win!

[THEODORE IVANITCH goes into the study.

BETSY. Well, this was blank then; but tell me, were you at the
Mergasofs' last night?

PETRISTCHEF. Not exactly at the Mere Gasof's, but rather at the Pere
Gasof's, or better still, at the Fils Gasof's.

BETSY. You can't do without puns. It's an illness. And were the
Gypsies there? [3]

[Laughs.

PETRISTCHEF (sings). "On their aprons silken threads, little birds
with golden heads!"....

BETSY. Happy mortals! And we were yawning at Fofo's.

PETRISTCHEF (continues to sing). "And she promised and she swore, she
would ope' her ... her ... her...." how does it go on, Marya
Konstantinovna?

MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. "Closet door."

PETRISTCHEF. How? What? How, Marya Konstantinovna?

BETSY. Cessez, vous devenez impossible! [4]

PETRISTCHEF. J'ai cesse, j'ai bebe, j'ai dede....[5]

BETSY. I see the only way to rid ourselves of your wit is to make you
sing! Let us go into Vovo's room, his guitar is there. Come, Marya
Konstantinovna, come!

[Exeunt BETSY, MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA, and PETRISTCHEF.

FIRST PEASANT. Who be they?

GREGORY. One is our young lady, the other is a girl who teaches her
music.

FIRST PEASANT. Administrates learning, so to say. And ain't she smart?
A reg'lar picture!

SECOND PEASANT. Why don't they marry her? She is old enough, I should
say.

GREGORY. Do you think it's the same as among you peasants,--marry at
fifteen?

FIRST PEASANT. And that man, for example, is he also in the musitional
line?

GREGORY (mimicking him). "Musitional," indeed! You don't understand
anything!

FIRST PEASANT. That's just so. And stupidity, one might say, is our
ignorance.

THIRD PEASANT. Oh, Lord!

[Gypsy songs and guitar accompaniment are heard from VASILY
LEONIDITCH'S room.

[Enter SIMON, followed by TANYA, who watches the meeting between
father and son.

GREGORY (to SIMON). What do you want?

SIMON. I have been to Mr. Kaptchitch.

GREGORY. Well, and what's the answer?

SIMON. He sent word he couldn't possibly come to-night.

GREGORY. All right, I'll let them know.

[Exit.

SIMON (to his father). How d'you do, father! My respects to Daddy Efim
and Daddy Mitry! How are all at home?

SECOND PEASANT. Very well, Simon.

FIRST PEASANT. How d'you do, lad?

THIRD PEASANT. How d'you do, sonny?

SIMON (smiles). Well, come along, father, and have some tea.

SECOND PEASANT. Wait till we've finished our business. Don't you see
we are not ready yet?

SIMON. Well, I'll wait for you by the porch.

[Wishes to go away.

TANYA (running after him). I say, why didn't you tell him anything?

SIMON. How could I before all those people? Give me time, I'll tell
him over our tea.

[Exit.

[THEODORE IVANITCH enters and sits down by the window.

FIRST PEASANT. Respected sir, how's our business proceeding?

THEODORE IVANITCH. Wait a bit, he'll be out presently, he's just
finishing.

TANYA (to THEODORE IVANITCH). And how do you know, Theodore Ivanitch,
he is finishing?

THEODORE IVANITCH. I know that when he has finished questioning, he
reads the question and answer aloud.

TANYA. Can one really talk with spirits by means of a saucer?

THEODORE IVANITCH. It seems so.

TANYA. But supposing they tell him to sign, will he sign?

THEODORE IVANITCH. Of course he will.

TANYA. But they do not speak with words?

THEODORE IVANITCH. Oh, yes. By means of the alphabet. He notices at
which letter the saucer stops.

TANYA. Yes, but at a si-ance?....

[Enter LEONID FYODORITCH.

LEONID FYODORITCH. Well, friends, I can't do it! I should be very glad
to, but it is quite impossible. If it were for ready money it would be
a different matter.

FIRST PEASANT. That's just so. What more could any one desire? But the
people are so inpennycuous--it is quite impossible!

LEONID FYODORITCH. Well, I can't do it, I really can't. Here is your
document; I can't sign it.

THIRD PEASANT. Show some pity, master; be merciful!

SECOND PEASANT. How can you act so? It is doing us a wrong.

LEONID FYODORITCH. Nothing wrong about it, friends. I offered it you
in summer, but then you did not agree; and now I can't agree to it.

THIRD PEASANT. Master, be merciful! How are we to get along? We have
so little land. We'll say nothing about the cattle; a hen, let's say,
there's no room to let a hen run about.

[LEONID FYODORITCH goes up to the door and stops. Enter,
descending the staircase, ANNA PAVLOVNA and DOCTOR, followed by
VASILY LEONIDITCH, who is in a merry and playful mood and is
putting some bank-notes into his purse.

ANNA PAVLOVNA (tightly laced, and wearing a bonnet). Then I am to take
it?

DOCTOR. If the symptoms recur you must certainly take it, but above
all, you must behave better. How can you expect thick syrup to pass
through a thin little hair tube, especially when we squeeze the tube?
It's impossible; and so it is with the biliary duct. It's simple
enough.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. All right, all right!

DOCTOR. Yes. "All right, all right," and you go on in the same old
way. It won't do, madam--it won't do. Well, good-bye!

ANNA PAVLOVNA. No, not good-bye, only au revoir! For I still expect
you to-night. I shall not be able to make up my mind without you.

DOCTOR. All right, if I have time I'll pop in.

[Exit.

ANNA PAVLOVNA (noticing the PEASANTS). What's this? What? What people
are these?

[PEASANTS bow.

THEODORE IVANITCH. These are peasants from Koursk, come to see Leonid
Fyodoritch about the sale of some land.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. I see they are peasants, but who let them in?

THEODORE IVANITCH. Leonid Fyodoritch gave the order. He has just been
speaking to them about the sale of the land.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. What sale? There is no need to sell any. But above all,
how can one let in people from the street into the house? One can't
let people in from the street! One can't let people into the house who
have spent the night heaven knows where!... (Getting more and more
excited.) I daresay every fold of their clothes is full of microbes--
of scarlet-fever microbes, of smallpox microbes, of diphtheria
microbes! Why, they are from Koursk Government, where there is an
epidemic of diphtheria ... Doctor! Doctor! Call the doctor back!

[LEONID FYODORITCH goes into his room and shuts the door. GREGORY
goes to recall the DOCTOR.

VASILY LEONIDITCH (smokes at the PEASANTS). Never mind, mamma; if you
like I'll fumigate them so that all the microbes will go to pot! Eh,
what?

[ANNA PAVLOVNA remains severely silent, awaiting the DOCTOR'S
return.

VASILY LEONIDITCH (to PEASANTS). And do you fatten pigs? There's a
first-rate business!

FIRST PEASANT. That's just so. We do go in for the pig-fattening line
now and then.

VASILY LEONIDITCH. This kind?...

[Grunts like a pig.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Vovo, Vovo, leave off!

VASILY LEONIDITCH. Isn't it like? Eh, what?

FIRST PEASANT. That's just so. It's very resemblant.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Vovo, leave off, I tell you!

SECOND PEASANT. What's it all about?

THIRD PEASANT. I said, we'd better go to some lodging meanwhile!

[Enter DOCTOR and GREGORY.

DOCTOR. What's the matter? What's happened?

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Why, you're always saying I must not get excited. Now,
how is it possible to keep calm? I do not see my own sister for two
months, and am careful about any doubtful visitor--and here are people
from Koursk, straight from Koursk, where there is an epidemic of
diphtheria, right in my house!

DOCTOR. These good fellows you mean, I suppose?

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Of course. Straight from a diphtheric place!

DOCTOR. Well, of course, if they come from an infected place it is
rash; but still there is no reason to excite yourself so much about
it.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. But don't you yourself advise carefulness?

DOCTOR. Of course, of course. Still, why excite yourself?

ANNA PAVLOVNA. How can I help it? Now we shall have to have the house
completely disinfected.

DOCTOR. Oh, no! Why completely? That would cost 300 roubles or more.
I'll arrange it cheaply and well for you. Take, to a large bottle of
water....

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Boiled?

DOCTOR. It's all the same. Boiled would be better. To one bottle of
water take a tablespoon of salicylic acid, and have everything they
have come in contact with washed with the solution. As to the fellows
themselves, they must be off, of course. That's all. Then you're quite
safe. And it would do no harm to sprinkle some of the same solution
through a spray--two or three tumblers--you'll see how well it will
act. No danger whatever.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Tanya! Where is Tanya?

[Enter TANYA.

TANYA. Did you call, M'm?

ANNA PAVLOVNA. You know that big bottle in my dressing-room?

TANYA. Out of which we sprinkled the laundress yesterday?

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Well, of course! What other bottle could I mean? Well,
then, take that bottle and first wash with soap the place where they
have been standing, and then with....

TANYA. Yes, M'm; I know how.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. And then take the spray.... However, I had better do
that myself when I get back.

DOCTOR. Well, then, do so, and don't be afraid! Well, au revoir till
this evening.

[Exit.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. And they must be off! Not a trace of them must remain!
Get out, get out! Go--what are you looking at?

FIRST PEASANT. That's just so. It's because of our stupidity, as we
were instructed....

GREGORY (pushes the PEASANTS out). There, there; be off!

SECOND PEASANT. Let me have my handkerchief back!

[The handkerchief in which the presents were wrapped.

THIRD PEASANT. Oh, Lord, oh, Lord! didn't I say--some lodging-house
meanwhile!

[GREGORY pushes him out. Exeunt PEASANTS.

PORTER (who has repeatedly tried to say something).--Will there be any
answer?

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Ah, from Bourdier? (Excitedly.) None! None! You can
take it back. I told her I never ordered such a costume, and I will
not allow my daughter to wear it!

PORTER. I know nothing about it. I was sent....

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Go, go, take it back! I will call myself about it!

VASILY LEONIDITCH (solemnly). Sir Messenger from Bourdier, depart!

PORTER. I might have been told that long ago. I have sat here nearly
five hours!

VASILY LEONIDITCH. Ambassador from Bourdier, begone!

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Cease, please!

[Exit PORTER.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Betsy! Where is she? I always have to wait for her.

VASILY LEONIDITCH (shouting at the top of his voice). Betsy!
PETRISTCHEF! Come quick, quick, quick! Eh? What?

[Enter PETRISTCHEF, BETSY, and MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. You always keep one waiting!

BETSY. On the contrary, I was waiting for you!

[PETRISTCHEF bows with his head only, then kisses ANNA PAVLOVNA'S
hand.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. How d'you do! (To BETSY.) You always have an answer
ready!

BETSY. If you are upset, mamma, I had better not go.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Are we going or not?

BETSY. Well, let us go; it can't be helped.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Did you see the man from Bourdier?

BETSY. Yes, and I was very glad. I ordered the costume, and am going
to wear it when it is paid for.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. I am not going to pay for a costume that is indecent!

BETSY. Why has it become indecent? First it was decent, and now you
have a fit of prudery.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Not prudery at all! If the bodice were completely
altered, then it would do.

BETSY. Mamma, that is quite impossible.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Well, get dressed.

[They sit down. GREGORY puts on their over-shoes for them.

VASILY LEONIDITCH. Marya Konstantinovna, do you notice a vacuum in the
hall?

MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. What is it?

[Laughs in anticipation.

VASILY LEONIDITCH. Bourdier's man has gone! Eh, what? Good, eh?

[Laughs loudly.

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Well, let us go. (Goes out of the door, but returns at
once.) Tanya!

TANYA. Yes, M'm?

ANNA PAVLOVNA. Don't let Frisk catch cold while I am away. If she
wants to be let out, put on her little yellow cloak. She is not quite
well to-day.

TANYA. Yes, M'm.

[Exeunt ANNA PAVLOVNA, BETSY, and GREGORY.

PETRISTCHEF. Well, have you got it?

VASILY LEONIDITCH. Not without trouble, I can tell you! First I rushed
at the gov'nor; he began to bellow and turned me out. Off to the
mater--I got it out of her. It's here! (Slaps his breast pocket.) If
once I make up my mind, there's no getting away from me. I have a
deadly grip! Eh, what? And d'you know, my wolf-hounds are coming
to-day.

[PETRISTCHEF and VASILY LEONIDITCH put on their outdoor things
and go out. TANYA follows.

THEODORE IVANITCH (alone). Yes, nothing but unpleasantness. How is it
they can't live in peace? But one must say the new generation are not
--the thing. And as to the women's dominion!... Why, Leonid Fyodoritch
just now was going to put in a word, but seeing what a frenzy she was
in--slammed the door behind him. He is a wonderfully kind-hearted man.
Yes, wonderfully kind. What's this? Here's Tanya bringing them back
again!

TANYA. Come in, come in, grand-dads, never mind!

[Enter TANYA and the PEASANTS.

THEODORE IVANITCH. Why have you brought them back?

TANYA. Well, Theodore Ivanitch, we must do something about their
business. I shall have to wash the place anyhow.

THEODORE IVANITCH. But the business will not come off, I see that
already.

FIRST PEASANT. How could we best put our affair into action, respected
sir? Your reverence might take a little trouble over it, and we should
give you full thankings from the Commune for your trouble.

THIRD PEASANT. Do try, honey! We can't live! We have so little land.
Talk of cattle--why, we have no room to keep a hen!

[They bow.

THEODORE IVANITCH. I am sorry for you, friends, but I can't think of
any way to help you. I understand your case very well, but he has
refused. So what can one do? Besides, the lady is also against it.
Well, give me your papers--I'll try and see what I can do, but I
hardly hope to succeed.

[Exit.

[TANYA and the three PEASANTS sigh.

TANYA. But tell me, grand-dads, what is it that is wanted?

FIRST PEASANT. Why, only that he should put his signature to our
document.

TANYA. That the master should sign? Is that all?

FIRST PEASANT. Yes, only lay his signature on the deed and take the
money, and there would be an end of the matter.

THIRD PEASANT. He only has to write and sign, as the peasants, let's
say, desire, so, let's say, I also desire. That's the whole affair--if
he'd only take it and sign it, it's all done.

TANYA (considering). He need only sign the paper and it's done?

FIRST PEASANT. That's just so. The whole matter is in dependence on
that, and nothing else. Let him sign, and we ask no more.

TANYA. Just wait and see what Theodore Ivanitch will say. If he cannot
persuade the master, I'll try something.

FIRST PEASANT. Get round him, will you?

TANYA. I'll try.

THIRD PEASANT. Ay, the lass is going to bestir herself. Only get the
thing settled, and the Commune will bind itself to keep you all your
life. See there, now!

FIRST PEASANT. If the affair can be put into action, truly we might
put her in a gold frame.

SECOND PEASANT. That goes without saying!

TANYA. I can't promise for certain, but as the saying is: "An attempt
is no sin, if you try...."

FIRST PEASANT. "You may win." That's just so.

[Enter THEODORE IVANITCH.

THEODORE IVANITCH. No, friends, it's no go! He has not done it, and he
won't do it. Here, take your document. You may go.

FIRST PEASANT (gives TANYA the paper). Then it's on you we pin all our
reliance, for example.

TANYA. Yes, yes! You go into the street, and I'll run out to you in a
minute and have a word with you.

[Exeunt PEASANTS.

TANYA. Theodore Ivanitch, dear Theodore Ivanitch, ask the master to
come out and speak to me for a moment. I have something to say to him.

THEODORE IVANITCH. What next?

TANYA. I must, Theodore Ivanitch. Ask him, do; there's nothing wrong
about it, on my sacred word.

THEODORE IVANITCH. But what do you want with him?

TANYA. That's a little secret. I will tell you later on, only ask him.

THEODORE IVANITCH (smiling). I can't think what you are up to! All
right, I'll go and ask him.

[Exit.

TANYA. I'll do it! Didn't he say himself that there is that power in
Simon? And I know how to manage. No one found me out that time, and
now I'll teach Simon what to do. If it doesn't succeed it's no great
matter. After all it's not a sin.

[Enter LEONID FYODORITCH, followed by THEODORE IVANITCH.

LEONID FYODORITCH (smiling). Is this the petitioner? Well, what is
your business?

TANYA. It's a little secret, Leonid Fyodoritch; let me tell it you
alone.

LEONID FYODORITCH. What is it? Theodore, leave us for a minute.

[Exit THEODORE IVANITCH.

TANYA. As I have grown up and lived in your house, Leonid Fyodoritch,
and as I am very grateful to you for everything, I shall open my heart
to you as to a father. Simon, who is living in your house, wants to
marry me.

LEONID FYODORITCH. So that's it!

TANYA. I open my heart to you as to a father! I have no one to advise
me, being an orphan.

LEONID FYODORITCH. Well, and why not? He seems a nice lad.

TANYA. Yes, that's true. He would be all right; there is only one
thing I have my doubts about. It's something about him that I have
noticed and can't make out ... perhaps it is something bad.

LEONID FYODORITCH. What is it? Does he drink?

TANYA. God forbid! But since I know that there is such a thing as
spiritalism....

LEONID FYODORITCH. Ah, you know that?

TANYA. Of course! I understand it very well. Some, of course, through
ignorance, don't understand it.

LEONID FYODORITCH. Well, what then?

TANYA. I am very much afraid for Simon. It does happen to him.

LEONID FYODORITCH. What happens to him?

TANYA. Something of a kind like spiritalism. You ask any of the
servants. As soon as he gets drowsy at the table, the table begins to
tremble, and creak like that: tuke, ... tuke! All the servants have
heard it.

LEONID FYODORITCH. Why, it's the very thing I was saying to Sergey
Ivanitch this morning! Yes?...

TANYA. Or else ... when was it?... Oh, yes, last Wednesday. We sat
down to dinner, and the spoon just jumps into his hand of itself!

LEONID FYODORITCH. Ah, that is interesting! Jumps into his hand? When
he was drowsing?

TANYA. That I didn't notice. I think he was, though.

LEONID FYODORITCH. Yes?...

TANYA. And that's what I'm afraid of, and what I wanted to ask you
about. May not some harm come of it? To live one's life together, and
him having such a thing in him!

LEONID FYODORITCH (smiling). No, you need not be afraid, there is
nothing bad in that. It only proves him to be a medium--simply a
medium. I knew him to be a medium before this.

TANYA. So that's what it is! And I was afraid!

LEONID FYODORITCH. No, there's nothing to be afraid of. (Aside.)
That's capital! Kaptchitch can't come, so we will test him
to-night.... (To TANYA.) No, my dear, don't be afraid, he will be a
good husband and ... that is only a kind of special power, and every
one has it, only in some it is weaker and in others stronger.

TANYA. Thank you, sir. Now I shan't think any more about it; but I was
so frightened.... What a thing it is, our want of education!

LEONID FYODORITCH. No, no, don't be frightened.... Theodore!

[Enter THEODORE IVANITCH.

LEONID FYODORITCH. I am going out now. Get everything ready for
to-night's seance.

THEODORE IVANITCH. But Mr. Kaptchitch is not coming.

LEONID FYODORITCH. That does not matter. (Puts on overcoat.) We shall
have a trial seance with our own medium.

[Exit. THEODORE IVANITCH goes out with him.

TANYA (alone). He believes it! He believes it! (Shrieks and jumps with
joy.) He really believes it! Isn't it wonderful! (Shrieks.) Now I'll
do it, if only Simon has pluck for it!

[THEODORE IVANITCH returns.

THEODORE IVANITCH. Well, have you told him your secret?

TANYA. I'll tell you, too, only later on.... But I have a favor to ask
of you, too, Theodore Ivanitch.

THEODORE IVANITCH. Yes? What is it?

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17